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01-09-2020 | Original Paper

How Can Partners Influence the Gambling Habits of Their Gambler Spouse?

Authors: Mélissa Côté, Joël Tremblay, Susana Jiménez-Murcia, Fernando Fernàndez-Aranda, Natacha Brunelle

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 3/2020

Abstract

An increasing number of clinical and empirical studies document the coping strategies used by partners of pathological gamblers (PGs). A postulate for this is that they may be useful for dealing with their partner’s problematic gambling behaviors. Despite a widespread endorsement of this postulate, no study has yet documented their effectiveness: does the use of these coping strategies impact the gambler’s behavior? To answer this question, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 participants (8 couples comprising one PG and his or her partner, one partner of a PG, and 2 PGs). Qualitative analysis of the interviews lead to a first main observation: via diverse coping strategies, partners of PGs can influence their spouse’s gambling behaviors. The impact of these strategies may occur as initially expected by partners, that is by a reduction of gambling behaviors. However, the use of certain strategies can also increase the PG’s gambling cravings, though this is not generally their partner’s intention.

Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale (CIUSSS-CN), service point of the Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de Québec (CRDQ); Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches (CISSS-CA), service point of the Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de Chaudière-Appalaches (CRDCA); and the CASA therapy center.

In an effort to facilitate comprehension of the participants’ comments, the authors have added keywords in square brackets [] in certain excerpts. The added words do not modify the meaning of the comments, but rather clarify it.

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Title: How Can Partners Influence the Gambling Habits of Their Gambler Spouse?
Authors: Mélissa Côté
Joël Tremblay
Susana Jiménez-Murcia
Fernando Fernàndez-Aranda
Natacha Brunelle
Publication date: 01-09-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 3/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09917-1

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How Can Partners Influence the Gambling Habits of Their Gambler Spouse?

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